Circuit-breaker.



No. 70|,62|. Patented lune -3, |902. B. P. RUCKER.

CIRCUIT BREAKEH.

` (Application med Nov. 2e, 1901.)

(N0 Modem 2 Shees-Sheei I.

7&2, I Roz/mv o Patented lune 3, |902.

No. 703,62l.

B. P. RUCKER.

CIRCUIT BREAKER.

(Application led Nov. 26, 1901.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BENJAMIN PARKS RUOKER, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

CIRCUIT-BREAKER.

SPECIFICATION forming part ofv Letters Patent No. 701,621, dated June 3,1902.

Application tiled November 26, 1901. Serial No. 83,700. (No model.)

To LZZ whom, t may concern:

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN PARKS RUCKER, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing in the city of New York, borough of Brooklyn, Kingscounty, State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvementin'Circuit-Breakers, of which the following is a specification.

My invention consists of an instantaneous and a time-element trip forelectric circuit breakers, the same being conveniently combined in oneapparatus and being capable of independent use, suitable devices beingprovided to operate either the instantaneous or time-element mechanism,according to the degree and character of the abnormal current.

My invention further consists of the details of construction hereinafterfully described and claimed.

Figure l represents a top plan of a trip for electric-circuit breakersconstructed in ac cordance with my invention. Fig. 2 represents avertical section of certain parts, taken on the line @o of Figs. I and 3with certain parts shown in elevation. Fig. 3 represents a verticalsection of certain parts, taken on the line y fy of Figs. l and 2 withcertain parts in elevation. Fig. 4 represents an elevation of the lowerend ot' a core of one form of circuit-breaker that operates in con jnnction with my improved trip mechanism. Fig. 5 represents a sideelevation of the same. Fig. G represents a view, partially in sideelevation and in vertical section, of a modified construction embodyingmy invention.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in thefigures.

My invention is applicable to automatic circuit-breakers in which isemployed an electromagnetic device, a movable member of l which isactuated by the passage of abnorbreakers shown so long as the operativeparts hereinafter described are dependent upon the movement of suchmovable member of an electromagnetic device forming part of acircuit-breaker. In accordance with the above, therefore, I have shownin Figs. l to 5 a solenoid A in dotted lines and the core B thereof toillustrate such movable member. This movable member forms part of thetrip device forming the subject of this application, said device beingsuitably mounted upon a wall or other support C, usually a marble slab,by means of the non-magnetic base D, thatis suitably secured to thelatter. The said base D is provided with upright guides E, in which isslidingly mounted the nonmagnetic slide F, the latter consisting of aplate that is engaged at its lower end by the set-screw G, carried by alug upon the base D, by means of which slide F and tripping devicecarried thereby can be vertically adjusted to regulate the amperageunder which the core will be actuated by the solenoid A.

In Fig. 2 I have shown an ampere-scale J upon the face of the slide andan indicatingpoint K upon one of the guides E.

From the upper end of the slide F extends a plate or support L, suitablyapertured and upon which is secured the insulating-plate M, carrying theelectrical contacts N and O, the former being connected with acircuit-wire P, leading from one pole of the source of electricalenergy, while the latter is connected with a circuit-wire Q, leading toan electromagnetic device, hereinaftcr described, and which is connectedwith the other pole of said source ofv electrical energy. Situated belowthe plate L and projecting from the slide F are the arms or brackets Rand S, to the latter of which is secured the casing T of an iron-incasedmagnet and in a suitable bearing U, in the upper side of which rests thelower end of a rotatable non-magnetic spindle V, said spindle alsopassing through an opening in the arm or bracket R, by means of which itis held in position. Situated between the casing T and arm or bracket Rand rigid with the spindle is the cam or worm IV, hereinafter referredto.

The spindle extends upwardly through openings in the plate L andinsulating-plate M, and the core B receives the upper end of thespindle, being provided with a socket X for this purpose, while saidcore B and spindle V are connected together, so that they are capable ofrelative longitudinal movement, but incapable of relative rotarymovement, the same being conveniently secured, by means of a pin Y,within the bore of the core that is situated within a longitudinalgroove Z in the spindle. On the lower end of the core is an adjustablemember to regulate the time element, the same consisting of a collar A',rotatably mounted upon the reduced lower end of the core and beingadapted to be held rigid with the core by means of a screw B. Upon thecore is an indicating-mark C', while upon the collar or member A is thescale D', conveniently indicating seconds, so that the time-elementdevice can be regulated to disruptthecireuitatanydesiredinterval. Atthelower end of the member or collar A is a groove E', forming the upperand lower shoulders, the latter being` broken away at diametrieallyopposite points by notches F. It is noted that the core B normally restsupon the upper end of the spindle V, as shown in Fig. 2.

The non-magnetic cup G passes through the apertures in the plates L andN and is provided at its open upper end with an outwardly-extendingflange H', normally resting upon the insulating-plate M, and extendingupwardly from the insulating-plate M are the guide-points J andextending through openings in the iiange H and serving to guide said cupG in its upright movement. At diametrically opposite points and radialwith the contacts N and O the said flange H is provided with lugs K',between which are pivoted switches L', the inner ends of which aresituated within the groove E of the collar A when the parts are in theirnormal position, while the outer ends of these switches L are situatedover the contacts N and O. In the drawings I have shown the notches F assituated at a quarter-turn from the switches L when the parts are intheir normal position, although this can be varied according to theinterval desired in the time-element devices. lt is understood that theflange H' of the cup normally rests upon the insulating-plate M and thatthe switches are held in the position shown in Fig. 2 by reason of thecontact oi' their in ner ends with the upper shoulder formed by thegroove E. The spindle of course passes through the bottom of the cup G',and in the cup I may place one or more annular weights M. It is furtherunderstood that l am not couiined to the employment of two switches L',as one or a plurality may be employed.

The electromagnetic device N' is inclosed within the casing T, the plateO closing the lower end of said casing, while suspended from the lowerend of the casing is the nonmagnetic pot P', into which extends the coreQ' of said electromagnetic device N', said core passing through asuitable aperture in the plate O. The core Q is provided with a suitablespeed-retarding device, a convenient :t'crm ol which comprises thedasher R', which is a little smaller than the interior of the pot P andupon which bears aspring S. lVithin the pot is placed a suitableiluid-oih for instance-and it is necessary when the core rises that theoil pass between the periphery ot' the dasher R and the walls of theDot, which will retard the movement of the core in an obvious manner.lVith the upper end of the core is connected a stem T', that passesupwardly from the end of the casing T and is guided in the brackets orarms R and S, said stein T being provided with a bifurcated bracket U',having pins or projections V, that engage the grooves in the cam W sothat when the core Q and stem T move longitu dinally the spindle V isrotated. The circuit-wire Q, connects with one en'd of the coil of theelectric magnetic device N', while from the other end of the coilleads acircuit-wire XV', that connects with the other pole of the source ofelectrical energy.

The operation is as follows: By means ol the thumb-screw G the slide F,carrying the tripping device and core, is adjusted to the desiredposition, and the parts normally stand in the position shown in saiddrawings, with the core B and solenoid A in the desired rela-- tiveposition. When the device is used as an instantaneous circuit-breaker,the core ll can be weighted, it desired, by means of the weights M' inthe cup suiliciently to prevent the core from being moved by thesolenoid, except when the predetermined overload or abnormal circuitoccurs. Then this takes place, the core is drawn instantaneously intothe solenoid, and iu doing so first raises the switches and cupconnected therewith until the lower shoulders formed by the groove Epass by the inner ends of the pivoted switches, whereupon the cup isreleased and falls to the position shown in the drawings, while the coreaetuates the circuitbreaker in a familiar manner, it being understoodthat the movement of the core is so quick that although the switches Lconnect the contacts N and O the time-element devices do not come intooperation, because the core is released from the switches and the cupimmediately thereafter, and the cup falling as described the circuitbetween the contacts N and O is broken. VWhen the timeelement devicescome into play, the overload vin the main circuit and solenoid is notsuch that the core l5 is raised to its full extetn; but as soon as thecore begins to rise the outer ends of the switches L connect thecontacts N and O and complete the circuit therethrough, the movement ofthe latter being retarded by the retarding devices described. As thecore rises the pins V' turn the cam W and likewise the spindle V andcore B. Should the circuit regain its normal condition, a rcversemovement occurs, and the core and switches regain the position shown inthe drawings. lf, however, the overload continues or increases, thecontinuous upward movement of the core Q and. the rotation of IIC thespindle and core B bring the notches I1" in the collar A opposite theinner ends of the switches L. This releases the core B, and being freedfrom the weight ot the cup G' said core is quickly drawn into thesolenoid and breaks the main circuit, while the cup falls to its formerposition and breaks the circuit through the electromagnetic device N. Ofcourse when the core falls to its original position the lower end ot thecollar A passes by the inner end of the switches L, and the parts againassume the position shown in the drawings. It is understood that theinterval consumed in breaking the circuit when the time-element devicesare in play is regulated by the adjustment of the collar A', so that thenotches F are brought opposite the switches at a shorter or longerinterval after the core Q begins to turn the spindle V and core B.

It is understood that in accordance with the broad principle involved inmy invention I am notcontlned, except to the claims for the specificconstruction, to the details herein shown and that my inventioncomprises, broadly, the means of separating the movable member of anelectromagnetic device from the switch that controls the auxiliarycurrent by any suitable form of time-element device under the control ofthe electromagnetic device in such auxiliary circuit and that I haveshown the means for accomplishing this by the rotation of the core as apractical and convenient embodiment, although it will be understood thatthe core could remain stationary and the contacts be rotated or that theswitches could be withdrawn from engagement with the core by theauxiliary magnetic device without rotation of either of said parts, andin Fig. 6 I have illustrated the manner in which this can beaccomplished. In said ligure, 1 designates the wall or other support,and 2 a suitable bracket having an arm 3, carrying an electromagnet 4,through the core ot' which extends a pin that actuates the devices thatdisrupt the current, it being understood that an abnormal current inmagnet 4 raises the armature t3, the latter raising the pin 5 in afamiliar manner. A setscrew 7 regulates the normal position of armatureG. Mounted upon an arm 8 at the lower end of bracket 2 is casing 9,electromagnetic devices 10, dash-pot 11, core 12, and piu 13, similar inconstruction to like parts shown in Fig. 3. Pivoted upon the arm 8 is alever 14, of insulating material, having an adjustable weight 15 andnormally resting upon a stop 16. A contact 17 upon said lever 14 iselectrically connected with the electromagnetic device 10, the otherterminal 1S of the latter and a terminal 19, connected with lever 6,leading to a suitable source of electricity. Pivoted upon the free endof the lever 14 is a trip 20, having one limb 2l situated in the path otpin 13 and another limb 22 extending upwardly and carrying the pivotedswitch 23, the outer end of the latter being adapted to engage thecontact 17. The switch 23 is normally held out of contact with thecontact 17 by the armature G, the face end of the latter having upperand lower noses 24 and 25 and said upper nose 24 normally engaging theend of switch 23, as shown. The lower nose 25 is shorter than the uppernose 24, so that after the armature 6 has been raised kby the magnet 4and :released from the switch 23 it can after being released from themagnet regain the position shown in Fig. G, the lower nose 25 passing bythe end of the switch 23, while the upper nose 24 will engage the same.

In operation it is understood that when an abnormal currentr occurs-forinstance, a short circuit where it is desired to disrupt the circuitinstantaneouslye-the armature G will be drawn quickly upward, and whilethe lower nose will engage the switch 23, yet the upward movement willbe so rapid that it quickly lifts the lever 14 and releases itself fromsaid switch 23. On the other hand,however,when the time-element devicescome into play the abnormal current from the magnet 4 will lift thearmature G, so that its lower nose engages the switch 23, and saidswitch is thrown in contact with the contact-piece 17. The weight 15holds the lever 14 from rising, and the auxiliary circuit then beingcomplete through the electromagnetic device 10 the core 12 and pin 13rise, the latter engaging the limb 21 of the trip 20. This turns thetrip upon its pivot until it is disengaged from the nose 25,where by thearmature (5 is released and rises and actuates the pin 5. v

llaving thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In an electric-circuit breaker a movable member, means controlled bythe movement of said member for releasing said member insta ntaneouslyunder a predetermined excess of current and for releasing said memberaiter the duration of another predetermined excess of current.

2. In combination with a movable member of an electric-circuit breaker,means for releasing said member instantaneously under a predeterminedexcess of current, and an electromagnetic device controlled by themovement of said member and adapted to release the latter after theduration of another pre determined excess of current.

In combination with a movable member of an electric-circuit breaker,means for releasing said member instantaneously under a predeterminedexcess of current, means for releasing said member after the duration ofanother predetermined excess of current, au electromagnetic devicecontrolling said latter means, said electromagnetic device beingactuated by an electric circuit controlled by the movement of the memberdue to an excess of current in the circuit controlled by thecircuitbreaker.

4. In combination with a movable member IIO of an electric-circuitbreaker, means for releasing said member instantaneously under apredetermined excess ot' current, means for releasing said member afterthe duration of another predetermined excess of current, anelectromagnetic device controlling said latter means and being situatedin a normally open circuit, and devices actuated by the movement of themember for closing said circuit.

5. In combination with a movable member of an electric-circuit breaker,an electromagnetic device, means actuated by the movement of said memberfor controlling the circuit of said electromagnetic device, saidelectromagnetic device being adapted to release the member after theduration of a predetermined excess of current, and means 'forinstantaneously releasing said member from the devices controlling thecurrent under a predetermined excess of current ot' a diiierent degree.

G. In combination with a movable member of an electric-circuit breaker,an electromagnetic device for releasing said member after the durationof a predetermined excess of current, a switch controlling the circuitof said electromagnetic device adapted to be engaged and operated by themovement of the member, said member being adapted to be instantaneouslyreleased from said switch under another predetermined excess of currentof a dii'l'erent degree.

7. In combination with a movable member of an electric-circuit breaker,an electromagnetic device for releasing said member after the durationof a predetermined excess of current, switches for controlling` thecircuit of said electromagnetic device situated in the path of saidmember and adapted to be engaged and operated thereby, said member beingadapted to be instantaneously released from said switches upon apredetermined excess of current of a different degree.

8. In combination with a movable member otl an electric-circuit breaker,an electromagnetic device for releasing said member after the durationof a predetermined excess ot current, pivoted switches situated in thecircuit controlling said electromagnetic device, and in the path of saidmember, said switches being normally engaged and held open by contactwith the member, said member forming part of the circuit of theelectromagnetic device, and said switches being adapted to be releasedfrom said member by the movement thereof upon a predetermined excess ofcurrent of a difterent degree.

9. In combination with a movable member of an electric-circuit breaker,an electromagnetic device, gearing between said electromagnetic deviceand said member for rotating the latter, the circuit of saidelectromagnetic device being controlled by a switch operated by themovement of said member, and means for disengaging said member andswitch upon the rotation of said member.

A10. In combination with. a movable member of an electric-circuitbreaker, an electromag-l netic device, gearing between saidelectromagnetic device and said member for rotating the latter, thecircuit of said electromagnetic device being controlled by a switchoperated by the movement of said member, and means for disengaging saidmember and switch upon the rotation of said member, said member beingalso adapted to be released from said switch by reason of thelongitudinal movement of said member under an excess of current greaterthan that which rotates said member.

ll. In combination with a movable member of an electric-circuit breaker,an electromagnetic device, connections between the same and said memberfor rotating the latter, a switch controlled by the longitudinalInovement of the latter, and means for disengaging the member and switchby reason of either the longitudinal or rotary movement of said member.l

l2. In combination with a movable member of an electric-circuit breaker,of an electromagnetic device, the movable member of said electromagneticdevice being connected with the circuit-breaker member to rotate thesame, retarding devices for said electromagnetic-device member, a switchcontrolling the circuit of said electromagnetic device, saidcircuit-breaker member engaging said switch and adapted to operate thesame when the circuitbreaker member moves longitudinally, said circuit-breaker member being adapted to be disengaged from said switch by alongitudinal or rotary movement oi said member.

18. In combination witha movable member of an electric-circuit breaker,provided with annular shoulders, an electromagnetic device connectedwith said member for rotating the same, a switch in the circuit of saidelectromagnetic device adapted to be engaged by said shoulders andoperated by the longitudinal movement of the member, one of saidshoulders terminating so as to disengage the member and switch by therotary movement of the member, and said member being also adapted to bereleased from the switch by reason of the longitudinal movement of saidmember.

la. In combination with a movable member of an electric-circuit breaker,a rotatable member mounted thereon and provided with shoulders, anelectromagnetic device connected with said member for rotating thelatter, a switch controlling the current of said electromagnetic device,and adapted to be engaged by said shoulders and operated by thelongitudinal movement of the member, one of said shoulders beingterminated so as to disengage the member and switch by the rotarymovement of the member, and said member being also adapted to bereleased from the switch by reason of the longitudinal movement of saidmember.

l5. In combination with a movable member IIO of an electric-circuitbreaker, having annular shoulders, an electromagnetic device connectedwith said member for rotating the latter, a pivoted switch controllingthe circuit of said electromagnetic device and having one end situatedbetween said shoulders of the member so as to be operated by thelongitudinal movement of the latter, one of said shoulders terminatingso that the member and switch are disengaged by the rotary movement ofthe member, and said switch being also adapted to turn upon its pivotand to be disengaged from said member upon the longitudinal movement ofthe latter.

1G. In combination with a movable member of an electric circuit breaker,au electromagnetic device connected therewith for rotating the same,switches situated to engage contacts in the circuit controlling saidelectromagnetic device, said member engaging said switches and normallyholding the same away from said contacts and adapted to move them incontact therewith upon the longitudinal movement of the member, saidmember forming part of the circuit, and means for disengaging saidmember and switches by the rotary movement of said member.

17. In combination witha movable member of an electric circuit breaker,an electromagnetic device for rotating the same, a switch operated bythe longitudinal movement of the member for controlling the circuit ofsaid electromagnetic device, said member and switch being adapted to bedisengaged by the rotary movement of the former, and said switch beingcarried by a member movable longitudinally to a limited extent with saidmember.

18. In combination with a movable member of an electric-circuit breaker,an electromagnetic device for rotating the same, a pivoted switchcontrolling the circuit of said electromagnetic device and engaged bysaid member, said switch being carried by a member movablelongitudinally to a limited eX- tent with said member, said member andswitch being adapted to be disengaged either by the rotary orlongitudinal movement of the member.

19. In combination witha movable member of an electric-circuit breakerhaving shoulders, an electromagnetic device for rotating the same, acircuit for said electromagnetic device having contacts, alongitudinally-m ovable member carrying pivoted switches adapted toengage said contacts, said switches be ing engaged by said shoulders ofthe member, one of the shoulders of said member being broken awaywhereby the same can be disengaged from the switches upon the rotarymovement of the member.

20. In a device of the kind specified, a longitudinal and rotatablecircuit-breaker member controlling a switch for the purpose de scribed,said switch being carried by a member longitudinally movable to alimited extent with said circuit-breaker member, and

means for increasing and decreasing the weight of said member.

21. In a device of the kind specified, a longitudinal and rotatablecircuit-breaker member controlling a switch for the purpose described,said switch being carried by a cup longitudinally movable to a limitedextent with said member and adapted to receive a removable weight.

22. In combination with a member of an electriccircuit breaker, arotatable spindle supporting the same and with which said member rotatesand upon which it moves longitudinally, an electromagnectic device forrotating said spindle, a switch controlling the circuit of saidelectromagnetic device engaged by said member and from which it isadapted to be disengaged either by the longitudinal or rotary movementof said member.

In combination with a movable member of an electric-circuit breaker, arotatable spindle supporting the same and with which said member rotatesand upon which it moves longitudinally, a cam upon the said spindle, anelectromagnetic device, the movable member of which engages said cam torotate the same, a switch controlling the circuit of saidelectromagnetic device and engaged by said circuit-breaker member andfrom which it is adapted to be disengaged either by the longitudinal orrotary movement of said member.

24. In combination with a movable member of an electric-circuit breaker,an electromagnetic device, the movable member of said electromagneticdevice being connected with said circuit-breaker member for rotating thesame, a pot into which said electromagnetic device extends, said potcontaining a fluid, a dasher upon said electromagnctie-device member, aspring acting upon said dasher, a switch controlling the circuit of saidelectromagnetic device engaged by said circuit-breaker member and fromwhich it is adapted to be disengaged either by the longitudinal orrotary movement of said member.

25. In combination with a movable member of an electric-circuit breaker,provided with annular shoulders, an insulating-plate, an electromagneticdevice for rotating said member, the circuit of said electromagneticdevice having contacts in said insulating-plate, pivoted switchescarried by a longitudinal non-rotatable member normally supported bysaid insulating-plate, said switches adapted to engage said contacts,the inner ends of said switches being engaged by said shoulders of themember, one of said shoulders being cut away so as to disengage saidmember and switches by reason of the rotary movement of the member, andsaid member and switches being adapted to be disengaged by reason of thelongitudinal movement of said member.

BENJAMIN PARKS RUCKER.

Witnesses:

A.. R. THOMPSON, G. L. KNIGHT.

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